STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A judge has nixed a request by the Automobile Association of America (AAA) to review certain documents pertaining to the decision by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PA) nearly three years ago to hike bridge tolls.

In arguing for "in camera" or private review of 339 documents, including e-mails, withheld by the PA, the AAA contended the information was needed to determine whether PA commissioners boosted the tolls to offset the cost of World Trade Center site redevelopment, among other things.

In issuing the ruling Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Pitman said the AAA had been provided with "more than enough information."

AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair said AAA was "disappointed" by the ruling, but noted its case against the PA continues.

"We want to know what was on the minds of the commissioners when they voted on the toll hikes," said Sinclair. "The judge split a lot of hairs in saying some of the information (sought) was factual, some opinion ... This shields the Port Authority from releasing key documents by using deliberative process privilege. The public's right to know outweighs it."

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who filed an amicus brief in support of AAA's lawsuit against the toll hikes, weighed in on the ruling.

"While I respect Judge Pitman's ruling, I have to disagree with his reasoning," said Ms. Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn). "In particular, I do not agree with his opinion that the deliberative process is not a central issue in deciding whether the toll increases were 'just and reasonable.' It most certainly is. The toll increases were predicated on covering budget shortfalls caused by wasting money on projects inconsistent with the Port Authority's stated mission and, as stated in their own press release announcing these very toll hikes, to fund a project to redevelop the World Trade Center which bears no relation to their interstate transportation network. This would be a clear violation of the Interstate Commerce Clause."

"Attempting to determine the Port Authority's reasons behind the toll hikes by simply looking at a balance sheet, as Judge Pitman suggests, could be a fruitless endeavor," added Ms. Malliotakis. "Money is fungible and the only way to determine why the Port Authority chose to go this route is to review the communications used in coming to their decision. I have personally experienced Port Authority stonewalling during my lawsuit to obtain the economic impact study conducted with New York Container Terminal. I am certain that, if given an opportunity to review these communications, AAA would be able to establish their case that these toll increases were unjust and possibly implemented for illegal purposes."